Boston, MA Building Safety: Green Building Code (2026)

2 covers non-residential buildings at or above 20,000 gross square feet (50%+ non-residential use) and residential buildings with 15+ units or 20,000+ square feet, plus city-owned buildings. Owners must report energy and water use to the Commission through ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager by May 15 each year for the prior calendar year; reporting phase-in deadlines already passed for the largest buildings (35,000+ sq ft nonresidential/35+ unit residential: May 15, 2016/2017) while 20,000-35,000 sq ft or 15-35 unit buildings had to begin by May 15, 2022.

2(I) requires every covered building to meet the CO2e emissions standards in Table 1, measured annually in metric tons CO2e per square foot; smaller buildings (20,000 sq ft/15 units up to 35,000 sq ft/35 units) are exempt from the emissions standard until reporting year 2030 (compliance due 2031). 2(E)(1)(a)(3)-(4). Data must be self-certified yearly, with third-party verification required in the building's first reporting year after enactment and then every five years starting 2026. Fines and alternative compliance payments feed the Equitable Emissions Investment Fund, administered by the City Auditor with Review Board oversight, which must prioritize spending in Environmental Justice Populations.

The Air Pollution Control Commission, sitting under the Health and Hospitals Department, enforces the ordinance and can pursue injunctive relief against non-residential owners (not residential tenants) who ignore a notice of violation.